BYC Condemns “State Fascism” Over Aurat March Restrictions
SHAAL, BALOCHISTAN: The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has strongly condemned the Sindh Government over conditions imposed on organisers of the Aurat March (Women March), calling the move an example of “state fascism” and an attempt to silence peaceful political voices.
According to the committee, authorities granted conditional permission for the women’s rights march but included clauses describing BYC and JSQM as banned organisations, while prohibiting their participation. BYC rejected the characterisation and demanded to know under what law or court ruling it had ever been declared unlawful.
The group said no court in Pakistan has designated BYC as a banned organisation. It argued that the state has never been able to outlaw the committee because it is a peaceful political movement and there is no legal basis to proscribe it.
In its statement, BYC described itself as a democratic grassroots movement operating in Balochistan, focused on campaigning against human rights abuses, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and the systematic repression of the Baloch people.
The committee alleged that for more than a year, state institutions have tried to crush the movement through force and intimidation. It said that despite this campaign, authorities have failed to present any legal evidence linking the organisation to criminal activity or to provide any political or constitutional justification for actions taken against it. As a result, BYC said, the state has increasingly relied on coercion rather than law.
The statement also raised concerns over the detention of BYC leaders, adding that they have been held for long periods illegally and unconstitutionally. It said that although cases registered against some members are bailable, they have been denied their basic right to bail.
BYC further accused authorities of using anti-terror legislation as a political tool against Baloch activists. It specifically cited the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Fourth Schedule, saying laws originally designed to combat militancy are now being used against peaceful political workers, students and individuals advocating for human rights.
Referring specifically to the Aurat March conditions, the committee said imposing restrictions that isolate BYC by falsely labelling it a banned organisation was “shameful” and improper. It argued that the episode demonstrates how state institutions are using both legal mechanisms and force to marginalise Baloch political expression and silence dissenting voices.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee reiterated that it would continue to expose state abuses in Balochistan, including enforced disappearances, political victimisation and state repression, before national and international audiences.
In the closing section of its statement, the group appealed to international human rights organisations, women’s movements, democratic forces, and justice-minded people around the world to support the peaceful struggle of the Baloch people.
